The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

OSWESTRY CONSERVATIVE CLUB BALL. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. Oerley Hall, Oswestry, December 2nd, 1893. .Dear Sir, I understand that only the late hour at which the speeches commenced on Thursday last the 30th Nov., on the occasion of the Conservative Club Soiree at Oswestry, prevented the usual toast being proposed conveying our hearty thanks to all who had undertaken and so well carried out the arrange- ments made for our comfort and enjoyment. If we mention the names of Mr. Fay Williams and of the M. C's (Messrs. Alldritt, Gough, Williams, i Saunders, and Knibb,) we shall have I well know, by no means exhausted the list of those whose kindly assistance in the preparations for the even- ing's proceedings, conduced so greatly to the un- qualified success of the evening. In asking you to insert this note I am sure I am &1tpressing the unanimous opinion of all who at- tended the Soiree, Yours truly, GEORGE W. F. ROBBINS. +

THE ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. SIB,—When the ratepayers elect men to repre- sent them on the Council, the real object is that the interests of our town may be looked after, and the very best done for the ratepayers, that the town may be as prosperous as any important water- 121 place should be, but not to and get at about the In It and parties to bully others, as we have seen during the last month, in the discussions about the water laeetion and the waste of water that takes place tween Plynlimnon and the reservoir. What has bean, done by the majority of the Conn- « r They have appointed an inspector to discover the waste of a few gallons here and there over the town, that the ratepayers may be summoned and tilled by these Town Councillors, Llke clowns In Christmas pantomine, the Councillors re-appear before the ratepayer as Magistrates to fine pesons *ho througE no fault of their own have the misior- tftQe to be governed by such Town Councillors. Mr. Green has made a fair and honourable, lU- deed a most liberal, olfdr to save the thousands of .S&llons of water that are wasted every day. He 18 willing at his own risk and cost to bring all the waste water into the reservoir for sixty poun s, PJ*t should he fail, he will not ask for one penny. Now then, I appeal to the ratepayers to consider l is fair to them that such a generous offer should passed over as only an objeet of ridicule; and lIWead three or four hundred pounds wasted in gettIng meters which may not be of any use when Green's offer is accepted. Why is this offer not ^cepted ? Are the majority afraid that his plan l succeed, and that tHe laugh will be turned "Sainst them, or rather that there will be a feeling indignation against them ? If the scheme fails there will be nothing to pay. But no, it seems thfit the clique say We are in power and we will ?? as we please with the town and its rates. Either Mr. Green nor his offer please us, so we ll have none of them." Mr. Hopkins said he write to London about the Town Council; it to be hoped he will do so. It is full time there 'hould be a public inquiry so that the ratepayers ^^ay know who pay their debts to the town and *ho have defaulted, Yours, &c., RATEPAYER.

+ ABERYSTWYTH LUNATICS. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. Sir, I notice that since Mr. C. W. Williams was appointed in not being elected Chairman of the ""Q8,rd of Guardians, he seems quite unable to work ffioothly with his fellow Guardians. Altogether JWe seems to be a good deal of quite unnecessary ^ction and want of harmony because the Board de- to be bossed by one man. # .It seems that not satisfied with taking par m he management of the County Asylum, he desires 7° have a lot of lunatics removed from the Asylum /^Aberystwyth where they will be under his closei ?heervation, as he seems anxious to make the Work- USe still less comfortable than it is at pressnt by ^verting it into a Lunatic Asylum. I suggest he Should be asked to devote his whole time to the of these lunatics, who require attention as to P^sonal cleanliness and other matters which will rjfce up the whole of any person's time: thus it °uld be well for him to take up his abode in the when from his own observation he will know the hours the Master has to work are too short too long, whether the food of the officers is too r&ch or too little, without having his post by the J^side of the lunatics he will, with the aid of a ^yiug glass, be able to see if there is any waste ?ut8ide, if the pigs are properly fed and if the ^eadcrumbs are fairly distributed between the old ens and young chickens. Yours, &c., X.N.

OBSTRUCTIONS AT ABERYSTWYTH. r.TO the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. Aberystwyth public are well aware that for b. e last three or four years a great deal of attention been called to obstructions and nuisanceS^that k said are found in the town—boxes, trucks, m Wheelbarrows, left in frotit of shops and places business. It has been said that blinds outside w°J>s have been too high or too low. I was very to see our worthy ex-mayor calling attention W most serious and insulting nuisances^ that J been recently caused in the most prominent ^r°ughfares| of the town by some bare: ugly tds; it is the height of impudence to erect Oifi6 °n the property of the town so as to encroach i the paths. If the authorities of the town do not $>I*'?ere in the matter there will be nothing left for the public to defend their rights by m-j 6 these boards to? make a bonfire and burn in t all the abuse that has been used about the and its indignant inhabitants. Yours &c., OBSERVER.

THOMPSON'S Glove-fitting Long-Waisted CORSETS. PERFECTION! Sold by all Drapers. On0 :Million Pairs Annnally. 1) .108, 6d. These world-renowned Corsetsjhav^ of 30 years' standing. Present sales larger than ever. The Popular Corset for the Million (No, 3104), all colours, 3s. 6d. W. 8. THOMPSON & CO., Limited Manufacturers. Made in Lengths, 13, 14, and 15-incn. A large stock of these GOOD VALUE Corsets always on hand at EDWARD HUGHES', Trade Hall, WELbilFOUXj. fJlURKEY CARPETS. pERSIAN CARPETS. JJEMIRDJEE CARPETS. JJ^IRZAPORE CARPETS. JJECCAN CARPETS. jgANGALORE CARPETS. KOULA CARPETS. IMPORTED DIRECT AND CANNOT BE' BOUGHT CHEAPER FROM ANY HOUSE IN LONDON. ALL KINDS AND SIZES OF RUGS. A COMPARISON INVITED. AN IMMENSE STOCK. J. JONES AND SON, CARPET FACTORS, QSWESTRY. REES REES, BILL-POSTER, &c., LITTLE DARKGATE STREET, ABERYSTWYTH. BEGS to inform the Public that he leases the most prominent Posting Stations in Aber- ystwyth. Orders for Town or Country strictly attended to. J. WILLIAMS, BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURER, CROWN SHOP., BROAD STREET, WELSHPOOL. In order to meet the depressed state of business Mrs. Williams is now offering her Stock of BOOT SHOES AND SLIPPERS at the lowest possible prices. THE GREAT REMEDY M*OUTv PILLS. > FOR T GOUT. BHETMATISM, SCIATICA, LUMBAGO, NEURALGIA. The EXCRUCIATING PAIN is quickly relieved and cured in a few days by these celebrated Pills. Sure, safe and effectual. Sold by all Chemists at 1/1, and 2/9 per box. CORRUGATED Buy only from the Manufacturers and you will be well served. IRON. Send for Prices. Free delivery all orders over £2. WOLVERHAMPTON CORRUGATED IRON Co. Ltd., Wolverhampton. Largest Makers in the Kingdom. MONEY. MONET. MONEY. ESTABLISHED 1869. CASH IMMEDIATELY ADVANCED. FROM £5 AND UPWARDS. To Farmers, Gardeners, Carriers, Cowkeepers, Shopkeepers, Dairymen, Tradesmen, Clerks, Clergy. men. Lodging-house Keepers, Private Householders and others, without Bondsmen, ON THEIR OWN SECURITY, On Note of Hand alone, repayable by easy instal- ments, or arranged to suit Borrower's own oon- [ venience. All communications are received and kept in strict confidence. No genuine application ever refused, and honourable and straightforward transactions guaranteed. NO ENQUIRY FEE. Intended Borrowers are invited, before applying elsewhere, to apply to the actual Lender, J. A. RENNIE, 24, CHESTER STREET, SHREWSBURY. WEDNESDAYS-AT 1, KING STREET, OSWESTRY. N.B.—Town or Country; distance no object. Letters immediately attended to. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS. DURING THE WINTER AND SPRING MONTHS Week End Excursion Tickets ("Friday or Saturday toj Sunday, Monday or Tuesday), and FOURTEEN DAYS TICKETS will be issued on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. ALSO TOURIST TICKETS (Available for Two Calendar months) will be issued on any week day, from the prin- cipal Cambrian Inland Stations, to BORTH, ABERDOVEY, TOWYN, ABER- YSTWYTH, BARMOUTH, DOLGELLEY,'HARLECH,PORTMADOC CRICCIETH and PWLLHELI. For full particulars as to fares, &c. see bills, which can be obtained at all Cambrian Stations. ALFRED ASLETT, Secretary and General Manager.

[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] STRANGER THAN TRUTH. BY JAMES GREENWOOD (The Amateur Casual), Author of TWENTY STRANGE STORIES," THREE ROGUES," "FAIR PHYLLIS OF LAVENDER YVHARF," "MARTYRS BY PROXY," "A LITTLE RAGAMUFFIN." &c., &c. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] No. 10. THE BLIGHT OF "BRIMSTONE BECK." The squalid little cabin, where lived old Becky Spaight, or Brimstone Beck," as she was com- monly called, stood on the side of a hill that overlooked the main road to Wieklow, and was approached by a steep and devious path that the foot of man or womau seldom trod with right- epus intent. For the reason that Old Beck was a "wise woman," or in other words, a witch. What were reaQy her qualiJications for that unenviable title would not be easy to state, but un. deniably, as regards appearance, she was all that a person with faith in demonology would wish to have dealings with. A weird and dreadful-look- ing creature, she had at one tIme-tifty years ago, perhaps—been tall, but now she was so f bent that the crutch sticks she leant on as she hobbled along reached not much higher than her knees. Her visage was deeply wrinkled, she was blear-eyed, and her nose was within h*if-an-incli of her chin, from which last- tasiitionmiI feature sprouted enough of grizzled grey beard to make her sex problematical if only er head were visible. If Brimstone Beck was not really possessed of supernatural ability, far and wide she had the credit of it. and that, for all practical pur- poses, and as far as the profits of the trade were concerned, was precisely the same thing. She was reputed to be able to foretell the future with more certainty than any other fortune. telLtr for ten miles round; but that was a branch she had no great fancy for. The people among whom she resided were scarcely better than seuy-eivilised, passionate and impulsive, quick to take offence aud malevolent in shapins their revenge for injuries real or fancied, and Brim- stone Beck dealt in spells and charms and magic .powders and phials of wrath, that, poured out on to the thatch of an enemy s cottage would tamt" it through walls and floor, to its very founda- tions, with blight and pestilence, fatal—sooner or later—to all who lived there. Unless her power was over-rated she possessed as well the evil eye which meant murrain for the luckless horse or cow on which it looked with baleful intent. And woe to the man, woman, or child, even though they lived twenty miles away, and she had never set eyes on them, if Brimstone Beck was handsomely paid to operate against them to the full extent of her diabolical ability. Beck was mumblII her black pipe over a fading fire and thinking of going to bed-for it was growing late—when she heard a tap at the cabin window, bhe was not in the least startled however. She was too familiar with the agftttts of darkness to fear an unfriendly visit from them, and she knew that no ruffian in the neighbourhood—and there were notor- iously several—would dare attempt to assault or rob her, though he was sure of carrvinsr off a pocket full of gold. So she called out: "Raise the latch whoever you are," and raised it was. And glancing round as she sat on her stool she saw that her visitor was Mr. Barney the sou of a well-to-do farmer whose place was some three or four miles distant, f sav she recognised him to be that individual out she did not mention it. Assuming that their business with her was of a delicate nature Brimstone Beck invariably treated her cus- to as though they were perfect strangers to bar. But of all people Barney Brennan to Eay her a visit! I'll be having the parson ere next." But Brimstone Beck did not say this aloud. It was only the whimsical thought that was in her mind as she turned about toreet him. There wasone chair in the hovel- an old rush-bottomed one—and Mrs. Spaight lose from her stool and made him the otter of it.. "In what way ean I serve you, sir?" she then asked. Barney Brennan, though above the average stature and robust, was not a good-looking young fellow. He was afflicted with what is called a "hare lip," and he had a strong "cast in one of his eyes that when he was excited or aitery made his not a particularly pleasant face to Yoot on. He was angry now, judging from the pallor of his lips and cheeks and his lowering brow. That," he replied to her question, is for you to tell me. How can you serve me 1" "What is the trouble f" Brimstone Beck UtajjULirad coolly, as she xc-seated herself^ on the -Stool and puffed her pipe aglow again. ""Bitter hatred is the trouble," he replied, his -voice husky with pent up passion. "Perjury and base deceit is the trouble. Can you brew me a blight, mother ?" >a woman?" JtjpK for a woman false as Judas.* -i'j • 'VA. young woman, then!" ^Old women never are false, I suppose he retorted, sneeringly. "You are not, In what you profess to be? You love your art too wellf* "I love gold better. You have not come empty-handed ?" But can you give me what I asked you "for?" At a price, yes. But when you say a blight— What I want is this," and he rose from the cfcair and laid a shaking hand on her arm, "She, never mind who, is a beauty. I adored her, and She knew it. I have known her since she was a mere slip of a girl, and my love for her increased as she grew to handsome womanhood; and all the while she gave me no reason to doubt that her heart, was mine as mine was hers. Bujifcwas all a hollow pretence. I was a mere lover, a something to trifle with and amuse her until there came along an admirer wh9 was better looking, and one she would feel TCgUjd instead of ashamed of being seen with. w«H, WM has found him, and for that reason and for no other, lam spurned and pushed aside. I would mete out to her the same measure. Let her beauty be blighted, not suddenly, for that would scare her handsome new sweetheart away. If it is within the scope of your witch power, put a spell on her that shall make her pine and sadden, so that her own looking-glass "Witt not own it to be the beauty that once Sreened herself before it. But let the change be aI. so that it may mainly come about after his w^om am cagt off, has made her Barney Brennan was not sitting down while hethua delivered himsetf. All the time he was m fl?or' Wlth his hands clenched, n°re.a.nd m°re of cruel determination tohw teoe-m bis quivering hare-lip and squint- tPro^eded and betrayed how madly raised her nrio^f'nr ^,rira8ton.e Beck mentally her Whpn « he required of f When he first made known his teouire* 1°, as she sat on »« inking at the ciowinc embers and e t0 the ticklish stipulation blight must not be sudden hufc gradual, her greed increased accordingly "Well, can it be done?"he oresentlv asked hreaking a protracted silence. presently asked' but l must be well DaidwMrs Snaichh answered dehbeately. I must have .five golden W1^at1rtlddiire^»fromhi9 P°cket » leather bag, and told.down the sum demanded on the gapped the gold in a gieSe* Otity rag which she thrust into her I wait for it ? Brennan now? nothh»ffrforbm«n?thtDS f°r you to take awaF» nothing for me to keep. Nothinc that can h« ^an smoke from the fire Bu? belonging to her or that has belonged to her. The more precious the ^»be^festy°U get i A Piece of her hair wôm<I wnest." o«are f00.11 accommodated," said Br<jn- afEJZt y lau £ h- "Ha, ha I She little r*!V" a lei?ive sucb a purpose when she g^^t me. And then aft»r a pause he added, SffEiL, i di,d I And while he was j loosened the breast part of his JSf-i?111! from his neck a slender to which was a little silken D&gsia|rWbich, unrolled, disclosed a ringlet o £ 1 colour as burnished gold. remarked Brimstone Beck as she torned back the ragged gown sleeves from her ekittny arms, now we can make short work of re. &M. took the ringlet and laid it out at length ea the table. Then she produced a pair of actspor^apd cut from her own head a thin wisp hair and placed it with the other. Now some of yours I" she said to Barney, snapping the scissors at his black locks that he might know what she meant, and one having been severed, she laid it with the other two. laen, whUe he wonderingly watched her, she commenced to weave the three hairs into one Elait, meanwhile, muttering some jargon that to im was unintelligible. Then from a corner cupboard, she brought some white powder, and some yellow, and some green, and blended them together, and sprinkled the triple plait with the mixture. Then she found a stone pipkin and put the plait in it, and placed the pipkin on the embers. Then she beckoned him to the fire-place. "You are still quite certain that you wish it doaaj" abe asked him. "Quite," lIe answered. repeat after me— "The guilt is mine, as well as thine and we vØ1 share the cost." v Thta Barney did, and then she took one of his ftjunda and held it in one of hers. and with the I other hand she took the tongs trom the Hearth, | and picking up a red-hot ember dropped it into the pipkin, and with instantaneous and Satanic effect.' Flame, blue, yellow, and crimson, shot up out of the stone pot and the odour as of sulphur and singeing hair combined, was so nauseating that Bmiuian staggered back from it. But the collapse was sudden as the glare, and with a few fitful flickerings the unearthy bonfire expired. "It is done," Brimstone Beck remarked in a weird whisper, and can never be undone. She is doomed. There is nothing more for you to stay for." » And hobbling to the cabin door she held it open for him, and without a word, and as white as a fljhost, Barney Brennan passed out into the dark.iiglit. CHAPTER II. There was not the remotest doubt in Brennan a mind as to Fan Fitzgerald's perfidy, nor if the evidence of his eyesight was to be relied on, could he possibly be mistaken in his conclusions. It was no other than his own cousin, Mealy Murdoch who had supplanted him, and that after his steady and faithful courtship with her through three long years. It may appear odd that Barney having made the discovery did not at once cal I Murdoch to account. But he had his own peculiar way of regarding such matters. It was not Murdoch who was to blame, or, at all events, only in the second degree. Had Fan Fitzgerald given him no encouragement he would have gained nothing by putting himself forward. Besides, supposing that the "blight" that Brimstone Beck had put on her worked as he hoped and believed it would, and after Murdoch had married her, her beauty faded, and she became withered and ugly before she had attained the full ripeness of womanhood, that would a sweeter and more lasting revenge, on him as well as her, than beating or maiming him. Had he seen them together? Aye, had he more than once,—more than twice, in secluded places, he with his arm about her waist, and walking lingeringly as lovers do. More than that, he had taxed her with her falseness and she had not denied it. She had broken into a passion of tears, and hid her face in her hands, and hysterically implored him not to think too hardly of her. But she had not asked him to forgive her, or promised that it should never happen again. Bursting with rage, he had de- manded of her fiercely, Say tile word, Fan Is it to be him or mel Make your choice 1" To which her only answer was, As heaven is my witness, Barney, I have no power of choice. Choice is denied me, and I must do what must be done." And that brought the last stormy interview to an abrupt conclusion, and he hurried away from her, leaving her sob- bing as though her heart would break. "A hypocritical jade I" fumed Barney as he strode off. She can sob and cry to deceive and fool me, Just as she could smile for the same purpose. Bah I I am a fool apart from her making. What shouldl care about losing her or who has her. The daughter of a man with a rope round his neck." Nevertheless, that same night he paid his visit to Brimstone Beck with the result that has been shown. It was true, however, that what in bitterness of heart Barney had remarked to himself respect- ing Fan Fitzgerald's father. Not that the fact of the latter being away in hiding somewhere to escape the consequence of a serious crime made his daughter an object of abhorence in the district where they resided. They were troublous times and the enemies of the law and the peasantry were at deadly feud. It had been the fate of Fitz- gerald, who belonged to a secret society, to be so strongly suspected of shooting a bailiff with whom he had quarreled, and who had died after lying for a mouth or more in hospital, that a reward of a hundred pounds was offered for his arrest. Fitzgerald had always been a harm- less and inoffensive man, and his wife and daughter, as well as those who were closely acquainted with him, felt assured of his inno- cence. But the evidence was cruelly hard against him, and it seemed next to certain that if he was taken, if not hanged, he would be condemned to perhaps life-long penal servitude. To what part he had escaped only Mealy Murdoch knew (he was so called because of his softness of speech aud plausible manner) an d Murdoch, for all his good looks.wasacunnina; rascali and to serve his own ends would stoop to any baseness. In secret he had long envied his cousin, Barney Brennan, his good luck in winning the affectiou of Fan Fitzgerald, and it was with the design of getting the daughter into his power that he had exerted himself to place her father out of immediate danger. He and Fitz- gerald were friends—he had taken sides with him indeed in his quarrel with the bailiff-and he bad monoy. And within a few hours of the shooting Fitzgerald had vanished, no one but Mealy Murdoch knowing where or how. Nor did his wife, or his daughter Fan, whom he dearly loved, know even who had befriended him, until Murdoch himself told the latter. Fitzgerald had been away nearly a month then, and as it cbauced the occasion when he lay in wait for her to make the revelation was the first time of Barney Brennan seeing them walking to- f ether. That Murdoch admired her Fan very well new,but she had not the least liking for him, and had not hesitated to tell him so, straight, and to his face. When, on the evening referred to, she saw him approaching, and noted his smiling, fawning visage, she knew that the encounter was not accidental on his part, and resolved, if he addressed her, to speak her mind to him even more plainly than before. But the gratification was denied her. Good evening, Miss Fiugerald," and Mealy Murdoch politely raised his hat, may I crave the pleasure of just a few words with vou." I would rather be excused, Mi\ Murdoch," Fan replied tossing her head and catching her skirts aside though the path- was a wide one, "if you have anything to say to me, say it through Mr, Barney Brennan please." That shall be as you please when you have learnt the nature of the message I have brought von." I want neither you nor your message sir." "Not though it comes from your tatherr And as he spoke, he took from his pocket a letter. The haughty frown vanished from Fan's face giving place to a look of dismay. She may have suspected that Murdoch was in the secret as to where her father was in hiding, but she had never for a moment thought that he was in direct communication with him. "1-1 did not mean to be uncivil to you Mr. Murdoch," she stammered apologetically. i had been put out before J met you. From my dear father did you say < Oh give me the letter, please!" And she held out her hands for it. "A word or two first, deur Miss Fiugerald," and he more closely approached her, and spoke in a whisper, "you need no telling that your lather is in great peril T" I know it but too well," and Fan Fitzgerald's beautiful eyes filled instantly with tears. "You are aware," contained Murdoch, ven- turing to lay his hand on hers, as though involuntarily and merely to emphasise the impressiveuess of his words, that his very life may depend on trusted friends standing by him staunch and true T God be good to them that are so to bim," Fan rejoined fervently. Aineu. You have always been an obedient daughter, my dear Miss Fitzgerald. 1 have heartl your father say so a score of times. Indeed," and his lingers closed on the passive hand on which he had laid his own, it was the topic of our conversation when 1 last saw him." He ha* always been the dearest and best of parents to me," said Fan, tears coursing down her cheeks. It is my duty to be obedient to him always." And you would not jeopardise his liberty, his very life, perhaps, by disobeying him at a time like the present?" r "Oh, how can you ask me 1 I, who would willingly give my life to save his. Let me have his letter pray." n "But I uiust know-it is with his sanction," and lie still held the letter behind him, do you swear by all that you hold sacred to obey him in what, in his own handwriting, he noW requests of you ?" If it is in human power I swear to do it. May the gates of Paradise be closed against me eternally if I selfishly disobey him in what he asks of me." Then with cowardly triumph twinkling in his eyes Murdoch gave her the letter. She eagerly broke the envelope and perused it, and'as she did so the colour faded from her cheeks and her lips even went white. It was he* father's writing beyond a doubt. 1 "My dear daughter," it ran, "the best, the truest, the only frieud I have in the world is the bearer of this, Mr. Murdoch. I owe my life to him, and his generous kindness to me the whole time I have been in trouble and estranged from you, demands that he should have any recom- pense it is in our power to give him. I was in despair of ever being able to convince him of the depth of my gratitude, but he has shown me a way. I was unaware, my darling, until just now, that he has long loved you, and that the pride of his heart would be to make you his wife. Let it be so, my daughter, with my blessing. Be advised by me, dear Fan, and let nothing stand in the way of your saying yes,' when he .ask, you. Do this for my sake as well as for your own. From your unhappy father." Murdoch who had been keenly watching her the while, was ready with his blandest smile when she had read and re-read the paper, and then turned her gaze from it to him. "You were clearly aware of my sentiments towards you, dearest Fanny—" he began. We need not speak of that," she interrupted him with a parched voice, "you know the contents of this letter, Mr. Murdoch t' It was because I did know, I was so anxious to deliver it to you," returned Mealy with a gallant bow. Was my father willing to write it." U Since he wrote it of his own free will, and unknown to me, you may be sure that it was so. He read;, jt me before he sealed it. He read it quite through," he added slowly, and with a look in his eyes she could not misunderstand, "from the first line—' the bearer is the only friend I have in the world,' to the last, 1 let nothing stand t.n liQc_way OuoJU' u.es.P' Youx father as you no doubt have already noticed, was careful to underline the word 'nothing.' He knew, that you would obey him, dearest Fanny, but, no doubt, he will be pleased when I tell him of clie solemn—the irrecoverable oath you took that you would do so, even before you knew what it was he desired." In an anguish of mind that, for the time, held her dumb, Fan Fitzgerald stood still and statue- like, gazing straight before her. "May I see my father?" she presently asked. It would not be safe. When we are one, dearest, it will be different. Then I will take you with me. It depends on you how soon that shall be. May I tell your father that you have said 'yes. And as he uttered the words, he made as thoucrh to encircle her waist with his arm. "I can talk no more with you to-night, iar. Murdoch," and she broke away from him. Meet me here at this time to-morrow," and she hastily tied. But she could not make up her mind mean- while. It was such a dreadful sacrifice to make. But, for her dear father's sake I And then, there WF the fond faithful Barney But, then again there was her oath, and to break which was to be lost everlastingly. No wonder that she could not bring herself to say either yes" or "no" at the next meeting, or even at the next. But on the third occasion she said it, and he clasped her in his arms, and kissed her. And Barney, who was spying, sick at heart with jealousy, saw it done. Barney Brennan after he had made his foul compact with Brimstone Beck had so steeled bit heart against her, that arriving home he went to bed, and though, somehow, he dare not say his prayers, he slept soundly till morning. Then, to his unspeakable amazement came a letter from Fan Fitzgerald. First imploring him to keep her secret, she revealed to him all that had taken place. How that Mealy Murdoch, single handed had helped her fugitive father to escape the danger that threatened him, and was still providing for him in hiding. And how that her parent, on Murdoch making known to him that. be loved her, had written a letter to her. in which he as good as commanded her that she should marry him as the most precious return that could be made for his erreat kindness and sclf-sacrifice. She informed him that: Murdoch himself had brought the letter to her, and had beguiled her into taking a fearful oath to do as her father requested, and that she had unwittingly pledged her soul to obedience. "I know the kind of man Murdoch is." wrote Fan, and despise him no less now than ever. It is because I believe him base enough for anything, that I must consent to be his wife, as I feel certain that if I refuse, having my dear father in his power he would give him up to the law. So be it therefore, dear Barney. It is useless you interfering. I shall go away. and stay with my aunt in Dublin for a short time. Think of me as one that is dead, as indeed I am to all that life is worth living for. But pray believe that in my innermost heart, my love for you is unchangeable." To do Barney justice, his foremost feeling, after having read the letter, was that of overwhelming remorse. He was impulsive, and passionate, and apt to be vindictive in his passion. But after poor Fan's guileless confession the love that had turned to hate underwent instant reversal. It was bad enough that such a jewel of a woman should be lost to him, but that her already miserable life should be blighted and withered, and by his wish and sanction, was terrible indeed. Was the spell irremovable Even as he asked himself the question, the words of Brimstone. Beck came back to him mockingly, "It is done, and can never be undone 1" What could be do? He dare not confess to her as frankly as she had to him, and even if he did, there was nothing to be gained by it. If he sought Mealy Murdoch, and, taxed him with the villainy of which he shrewdly sus- pected him, it would probably be the means of inciting him to revenge himself by giving up the incarcerated Fitzgerald. It was a horrible dilemma. He must see her before she went away, at all events. But though he posted off there and then he was too late. Fan had already started. It was nearly a fortnight ere he again set eyes on her without her seeing him, and by that time such a change had come over poor Fan that Barney's conscience was touched to the quick, and he turned away from the sad spectacle with a groan of self reproach. Unmistakeably the "blight "was already telling on her. Her eyes were dull, her plump checks were hollowing, her beautiful tresses were fast losing their gioss, she was thinner, and her step was slower. It will kill me to know that she is dying such a dreadful death," Barney Brennan said to him- self, as be turned away shudderingly. "I have forty pounds by me, it is all I have in the world, but I will go this very night to Brimstone Beck and offer it all to her if she can take the spell off her. It was in Wicklow market-place where lie had caught sight of Fan, and as he was hurrying along he had to pass the office of the Wieklow '■ News where there was such a crowd on the pavement, attracted there by a placard in the publishing office window, that he had to go in the roadway. But e^cn there hie, staind was so pre-occupied be would have passed on bad he not chanced to overhear one man say to another. That's a startler anyhow. So it was Mealy Murdoch that did it after all I" "So it seems if we are to believe a dying man's confession," replied the other. Within ten seconds Barny was in possession of a newspaper, and it seemed as though lus breath was suspended while he read as follows: "A terrible tragedy was enacted early this morning at Ballynoggin and which is attended by the remarkable circumstance that the attempted murder of one person has led to a confession of a similar crime committed by the wounded man who is now lying in the infirmary in a precarious condition. As will be remem- bered a few weeks' since, a bailiff, who had assisted at an eviction, was shot dead in the neighbourhoodof Wieklow, and John Fitzgerald was suspected, and from his disaDDearin. it ape peared almost certain that the guilt was his. A Government reward of a hundred pounds did not lead to his arrest, and his whereabouts has remained a mystery ever since and until last night. Shortly after midnight the police at Ballynoggin were informed that a man had been shot in O'Connell-street, and on proceeding there found that there had been a quarrel between a man passing under the name of Hare, and a friend who occasionally visited him who was called 'Mr. Sullivan.' "It has now transpired, that 'IjiLre' is no other than the missing John Fitzgerald, and that 'Sullivan's' real name is Murdoch. The latter was privy to Fitzgerald's flight and had in fact been supporting him in hiding ever since the murder of the bailiff. The particulars of the quarrel are not yet known, but it seems that Mur- doch was in love with Fitzgerald's daughter, the latter being already engaged to someone else, and that he--Murdoch--took advalltage of having Fitz- gerald in his power to induce him to favour his suit, and that he had done so. It is said, how- ever, that certain facts came to Fitzgerald's knowledge, proving the baseness of his friend in the affair, and that ih his fury, the former seized a gun and shot Murdoch in the breast. He was arrested, and Murdoch was taken to the infirmary, where, being in fear of death, he con- fessed that it was he aud not Fitzgerald who had shot the bailiff, and that the accused man was entirely innocent of the crime imputed to him. Additional particulars will be puolished in a Jater edition." But as need not be said, the edition in hand was quite enough for Barney Brennan. With the precious newspaper in his hand, he ran at top speed all the way to where Fan Fitzgerald lived and was too breathless to speak when he found her, aud thrust the Wieklow News in her hand, And the best of it was, that it was all true, except that Murdoch was not dying. But he thought he was and had made the confession, and that was the same thing. It was a fact that Fitzgerald had been heard to threaten to take the bailiff's life, and that he was seen with a gun within a short distance of where the body was found. But as Mealy Murdoch owned it was he who fired the fatal shot through a creviee in a shed where he was lying in wait for his victim. Murdoch lay in hospital so long, that although condemned to death, his life was spared, and he was sentenced to penal servitude for life. For the assault on him, Fitzgerald suffered but a short imprisonment, the judge being mercifully inclined, on account of the pro- vocation he had received. And did Barney Brennan marry the "blighted" Fan Fitzgerald? Aye, to be sure he did. But first, mind you, he paid a visit to Brimstone Beck, and, by dint of great persuasion, and the gift of a few guineas, got her to remove the terrible spell under which Fan was wasting away. The incredulous reader will, no doubt, say that Jt was impossible to remove it, since it never could have existed. Perhaps not. All I know about it is, that, after they "were married, Fan's health became quite restored, and that at the present time, as the mother of a little Barney, she is buxom and blithe as ever. CONCLUSION OF THE SERIES.

At the Electrical Zap=-Examinft: WhiDh J8 the best insulator we know of T" Candidate: Poverty." Couteotment is a pearl of great price, and who. soever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and happy purchase. Englishmen owe a {peat deal to the tailor," says a journal of tita tailoring trade. Quite so; and there is no doubt that the tailur would be very pleased to oolleot it if he could. M'me Leo s&ya she will not go into the lion's CRge for her performance to-night." Manager: Why not? Kingmaster: She says that there is a mouse in the cage." In the cemetery adjoining a. small town in the State of Vermont there is a tombstone bearing this remarksEle logerA-"Samed to the memory of three twins." Pedlar: Is your mother in?" Boy: Yes but she's got three callwa, and they've got talkin' 'bout servant girls. Guess you'd better come around next week."

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BY A LADY t JOURNALIST. -L A WARM WINTER COAT For working women is one of the many thingB I have been wishing to write about for some time, and now at last I am glad to be able to devote the entire clothing part of my letter to their requirements. Fashion often gives us new ideas that have not use- fulness as their first purpose, but quite as frequently we get articles of attire that are thoroughly practical, or that with a very small amount of adaptation can be made to conform to one's everyday wants. Such, I hope, will be found in the coat of which I give a sketch to-day. I so often see working women shivering about in shawls in bitter winter weather, which are good enough in their way, but are apt to blow open, and expose the often bare arms, that I am tempted to give the design of a long coat that can te made for very little money. Woollen materials are so cheap now that quite a good stuff is to be had for fivepence a yard, in the shape of homespun, rough, coarse flannels, or serges, that a few shillings would suffice to buy. Then there are innumerable cheap Btrong stuffs like alpaca, satteen, &c., which form excellent linings, and sheets of wadding are obtain- able for a few pence. With such materials to your hand, and a good pattern, even quite inexperienced sempstresses could fashion quite a serviceable warm ocat. The cape may be trimmed with fur, or not, as preferred, but the cost of the fur is hardly more than edging it with braid. Or, instead of a cape, it would look equally well made with a wide round yoke, and that edged with fur like a cape. Roughly estimating the cost, I think I may say that, fur in- cluded, the whole coat might be made for eleven or twelve shillings. The coat takes about nine yards of single widtu- {24 inches) material inside and out, and the cape another yard. A USEFUL WORKING JACKET Is much nicer than throwing on any little old shawl or woollen wrap that is apt to hang about and get in the way. Something that is thoroughly businesslike, and suitable to what it is required for, is worth a little trouble to make, and a very small expense. Thick. stuffs such as common Mel- ton cloth and rough homespuns will answer very well for such a little garment. It in intended for days that are frosty and cold, when doors have to be open, and washing and scrubbing hare to be done in outside yards and sheds, or in a draught. A little garment of this kind will be found the greatest comfort, for it will be warm, tidy, and keep out of the way without causing the slightest impediment to free movement. It is easily put on and taken off, and if made of washing stuff could be kept clean, though an apron with a wide bib should be worn over it in the usual way. The collar might' be made quite plain instead of cut into pointed revers, which would certainly simplify the making of it. WINTER AILMENTS Are evils which can be avoided if only common care is used, and the woman who has the charge of the home, be she maid or matron, makes herself indeed responsible for the health of its inmates. It is her watchful eye that should note how her belongings are clothed when cold or mild days come. People are too apt to get into a machine- like way of putting on the same things day after day quite irrespective of the temperature, and then wonder that they get colds and chills. Why it would be a far greater matter for surprise if they did not. It is a very good way to catch cold to stand about out of doors in winter time, therefore keep yourself, your children, and companions on the move whilst they and you are out. Never wait when feeling cold till you get a shiver all through you, but run or walk fast till the sensation of cold has passed off. You can catch a fine cold by keeping on your damp boots after coming into the house; therefore change them, and your stockings if wet. If children's feet are cold when they come in from a walk they must be rubbed till quite warm, or they will be sure toha-ve a cold. Chapped hands and chilblains may be avoided by thorough drying in the first instance each fime after wash- ing with a rough piece of flannel, and by never allowing feet or hands to remain cold more than twenty minutes or half an hour, and then only to warm them by exercise or rubbing, not at the fire. Chilblains come from slow acting liver and slow circulation, therefore take constant exercise, which stimulates both. Do not neglect the beginning of a cold; those that commence with a sore throat may be treated with constant gargling with a tumbler of water in which nearly a teaspoonful each of bicarbonate of soda and borax have been dissolved. If it is a heavy head cold give fifteen drops of ipecacuanha-wine "on a lump of sugar or in a tables poonful of water three times a day after meals to an adult, or eight to a child from seven to twelve years old, and infants should not take more than five at a time. On going to bed the adult may take twenty, and the child ten drops. Chills that attack the liver must have the doctor to attend to them, but a warm bath, or failing that hot water and mustard to the feet on going to bed, are safe remedies, especially for <inldren. All children should wear woollen fabrics next the skin, and so should adults, and people—especially old people—who are liable to sciatica and rheuma- tism should never go without a wide band of Bat) coating or rough flannel that comes aown wets over the loins in winter. As I have said before, prevention is better than cure, and those who will strictly follow my advice lately given for them- selves, and children of a warm soaping bath erflty morning, and a vigorous rub all over with a rougtt flannel afterwards, will find that they-are fftr less sensitive to taking cold. If you are able to take a cold bath all the better, but if you cannot get into a glow afterwards it is not good for yoa through the winter, and you must have Waxta water. HAVE TOU MADE YOUR MINCEMEAT? Because if you have not I recommend you the c following recipe which has been much approved of for years and years in my family. Chop, and pick some suet to the weight of two lbs, wash, and dry three pounds of currants, stone, and ohop oas and a half pounds of' raisins, add a pound and a half of chopped apple, the grated peel, and juios of rne lemon, half a nutmeg, quarter of an ox. each of cloves, mace. and cinnamon, finely pouhdedL Then add half a pound each of candied orange lemo and citron peel chopped together, half a pint of white wine, and a quarter of a pint of good brandy Keep when well mix- in a covered jar, stirring a occasionally as the wine and brandy soak to the bottom. If it looks dry add a little more bran eft. When you have filled your paltry cases, lay a fAr slices of citron, and orange peel on the top of each before you pat m the top crust. BUSY BEB: Correspondents will greatly oblige Busy BEE" by carefully following the instructions given below. RULES FOR CORRESPONDENCE. Letters for inquiry on fashion or other matters should be addressed to "Busy BEE," cap of the Editor, and should reach the offiqs not later than Tuesday, if an answer n desired in the following week's edition. If an earlier answer is desired, a stamped addressed envelope, containing a fee of one shilling, must be enclosed. Sketches of any special article of costume may be had for sixpence extra. Let- once answered are not kept, therefore, if further information ia required, the original questions must be repeated.. Paper patterns of only thqee designs given can be supplied on the following terms French pattern English pattapg (tacked muslin), (flat paper.) Complete costume, to given measures 4 0 16 Bodice 2 0 0 9 Skirt 2 0 0 9 Short Mantle. 2 6 1 0 Long Mantle. 4 0 1 6 Jacket 2 6 .1 0 Child's Complete Costume. 2 0 a a Apron 10 0 6 Each application must have Postal Order and STAMTS FOR POSTAGE ENCLOSED. Ladies are requested to cut ttUt and enclose the picture of the garment required, and the pattern will be forwarded in about a week's time. Addresses of tradesmen or manufacturers will net be published in the newspaper, but will be sent diieot on receipt of ped addressed envelope. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ETHEL.—The best way to make a pretty bant: cover is to fold a piece of material round a bogjfc folding in the ends to rather more than half the inside of eaoh of the book's side boards. Sew tos edges of these together, top and bottom, the cover may be- slipped on, and off by bending the boards back till they nearly touch each othea. You do not say how wide your galon is, or if a is of sufficient width to make a band above and below, with plush or silk between. Many covers have the materials put on diagonally across the outside from corner to corner. You might cfe this with the galon at intervals between the sill and plush. For my own taste I prefer satin on one corner of a plain colour, and the rest of eajHn e^^ered with various tinted silks. BJii MUljlji..—Such eruptions as you describe come from an acid state of the stomach, which rati mto the blood and is thrown out into the skia. Do you take plenty of exercise? People who have lived in a warm climate are very lazy about that, and generally suffer from a disordered liven. Look at your tongue and see if it is white or yellow. If the first your stomach is full of add, if the latter your liver is out of order. Try t taking half a teaspoonful of bi-oarbonate of soda dissolved in a good half tumbler of water three times a day after meals, every other day for a fortnight; and twice a week one erf Kirby's sal mineralis powders (to be had of any an hour before breakfast. Let me know if the eruption is better. Leave off all wine, spiritji, or beer, taking plain, or soda-water at your itinw and lunch. MARJORY DEANS.-People only go to afternoon At Homes" in a bonnet, but in evening drcuu to those in the evening. Such a costume as I gave last week as a young girl's zouave" wonM be quite suitable, substituting a frill of wide lacs for the frill of velvet. You do not say what colour your silk dress is; but if you are young it should be light, and you should wear long gloves to meet the sleeves of your dress. Your husbaad must also wear evening dress. Your hostegg will meet yoa'at the entrance of the room. People either sit down and listen to the music, or they walk about and talk to their friends. They certainly do not stare at people, as that would ba dreadfully ill-bred, nor do they talk while the musio is going on. I hope this is what you WBB £ to know. BIA1;31E. -Follow the advice I have given to Bethulie" above and in this letter on Winter Ailments." Never allow your hands and feet to remain cold without warming them by rubbing or exercise. Wear your clothes very loose, als you are perfectly eertain to have a red nose and indigestion if you lace tight at all. Take plenty of exercise to work up your liver, and get rill of the acid in the stomach that causes you so much flatulence. Get your mother to allow you to attend classes for gymnastic exercises, and if you cannot get those attend the exercise part of dancing Do not mess yourself with all kinds of medi- cine, as it is ruination to the stomach, but live an active, healthy life, and oocupy your mfrwl with doing all you can to give pleasure to other people—preparing for Christmas is a good op- portunity. Let your nose take care of itself and don't think about yourself. Take a warm bath every morning, with a good rub with rough towels afterwards, and then swing your anas round and round till you are quite hot. How muoh walking do you get in the day? If it is the ordinary school-girl walk, two and two, that is no exercise at all. You need plenty in your present state of health. I shall be glad to hear you are better. Mrs. J. A. Helm (Ladiham).—I have been asked to recommend you an enamel" for glossing linen without the necessity of using a polishing iron, and will forward you the name and wi- dress of the maker of this powder, if you wigh it, on the receipt of a stamped, addressed en- velope. D. P. Aitchison.—You will see that I have tioned your enamel above. 1 am also going try some of it myself, so that I may be able to recommend it personally. REPLIES. By Post.—Mrs. C., Bonnyrigg; Mrs. B., Edin- burgh; Mrs. G., Orkney; Miss B., Aberdem, Mrs. C., Greenock; Miss M., Nairn; Mrs. JE, North Berwick; Miss I., Oswaldtwistle; Afiay MoC., Edinburgh. Above.—Maisie, Inverness; D. P. Aitchison, Edim- burgh; T. G., Leith; E. R., Edinburgh; Milk D., Edinburgh.

Traveller: Alig Miss Society, if you want to see Nature at its best, you should take a trip through the pine woods of Norway." Miss Society: Wouldn't it be grand? And I do so dote on pineapple." Mother: I wish you to go to thestore and get me a bar of soap." Little Johnny: "I've got an awful toothache." "Does it really ache much?" Awful! I can't let a thing touch it." "Then you may also bring a pound of raisins." Well, Walter," sa&d Walter's grandmother after the fireworks had all been set off, "how did you enjoy the Catherine-wheels?" "They was awful nice," said Walter. j- .liey looked just like a soda-water fountain on fire." Little Dick: Teacher says all plants is mascu- line or feminine." Mother: Yvellr" Little Dick: Nothing, only this book says that some trees in California has trunks big enough for a house. They must be feminine." Jenkins: How are you getting along with your literary work?" Riterson: Oh, I'm lucky. I have never lost a manuscript yet. Every one I have sent off has come back to me in as good shape as I sent it." Marion: "Jim, such an awful thing has happened since you've been away. Poor old Brugeley, the brewer, fall into one of his own vats and was drowned Jim: "Ah! Case of being too much absorbed in his business." Mrs. T.: What are you making those grimaces in the glass for, my dear?" Mr. T.: "I'm tiying to practice a look of astonishment. Some of my friends are going to make a present to-night, and I am to know nothing about it." I can tell your fortune, and find out your future husband for you, lady," said a gipsy. If you find him out as often as I find my present husband out," replied the lady, I shall never marry again." She: Oh, my tooth aches just dreadfuJly! I don't see why we could not be born without teeth." He: I think, my dear, that if you will look up some authority on the point, you will find .that most of us are." An old negro who had business in a lawyer's office was asked if he could sign his name. How is dat, sah T" "I ask," the lawver answered, "if you can write your name?" "Well, no, sah. I neber writes my name; I jess dictates it, sah." "Great joke on Jarley." "What was that?" Went fishing and didn't catch anything. Ordered a half-dozen bass sent to his house, so that his wife would think he caught 'em. When the basket was opened they turned out to be bottled Basst" A publisher out West" who sends his paper to time subscribers" sends a bill eneh year. When a second bill is sent and there is no response, he takes it for granted that the subscriber is dead, and publishes an obituary notice" in his columns.